Shillong, Apr 14 (PTI) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday announced that the state government has initiated a comprehensive research project to study the origins of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo tribes.
He said two separate committees have been constituted to carry out the study, one focusing on the Khasi-Jaintia community and the other on the Garo tribe.
Sangma said the project will involve DNA mapping, along with the study of linguistic and cultural linkages, and collaboration with researchers to document various aspects of the tribes.
“We are doing this because we would like to see more documentation and ascertain if any more facts are available,” he said after chairing a series of meetings at Tara Ghar state guest house here.
The project is expected to be completed within 18 to 24 months, with periodic reports to be released during the course of the research, he added.
“We will be formally launching this particular research programme in the month of May,” the CM said.
Officials said preliminary work on the study has already begun, with teams engaged in initial research since February.
The project will also involve consultations with national and international institutions to conduct an in-depth analysis of the origins of the indigenous tribes of Meghalaya, they said. PTI JOP SOM
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